DFA Leadership Studio 2015 inDesign for America, Evanston, IL

The Loft team -- a group of designers, computer scientists, DFA National Staff and learning scientists dedicated to better supporting you as designers, studio leads, and coaches -- is working on prioritizing our newest features on the Loft.

We are seeking your expertise on what you want next! We're looking for a few people to who are interested in co-designing the Loft experience with us.If you're interested in getting involved e-mail us at hello@loft.io. />Thanks!

This is a great opportunity for you all to learn about the unique tools that other studios have created - including posters, websites, newsletters, design guides, workshops, leadership training - and possibly inspire ideas to bring back to your own studio. The fidelity of your prototype doesn't matter, we'd just love to hear about the concept.

For example, when I was a studio lead I worked on this Fall 2014 Report at RISD/Brown to share with members of the campus and community: http://bit.ly/1y6kxkV. Hope this inspires you, and can't wait to see what you have to share in return!

See you all TOMORROW!!! We will meet at The Garage at 2311 CAMPUS DRIVE, Evanston, IL at 7pmCT!

Dinner will be served, you'll get to meet your teammates in person, and you'll hear from an awesome keynote speaker, Bridget Brown, who will share her story of loving life as someone with Down syndrome.

In related news, our recent recruitment phone calls with 3 mothers of children with Down syndrome have given us suggestion to pivot/reframe. During these recruitment calls, we posed the areas of education, health, and communication as the focus areas and got their feedback: these challenges are for children, and they often (but not always!) have ways to handle them well already. Their highest priority concerns for their growing children instead include transportation to work, managing finances, and forming support social groups- all things to do with Independent Living. It’s only a few data points but an insightful bit that has shifted my preconceived notions of priority!

What are you finding with your research? What unchecked assumptions do you still have?

Ooh- a lovely video from a young woman whose sister has Down syndrome "the Happiest Person I know." Worth checking out amidst your online research! Other peeps finding anything inspirational? Feel free to share!

Setting up phone calls or visits with people touched by Down syndrome? At DFA National, we are too! As we plan our scheduled calls and visits with these folks, we want to ensure local organizations feel respected with the asks we make of them. I've noticed some of you are planning on or have reached out to set up calls with some local organizations and their members- props on your proactivity! However, to maintain this feeling of respect, we're proposing the following reach out protocol:

1. First, contact individuals and organizations that may be local to where you are located. Do you have friends, friends of friends, or acquaintances that might know someone touched by Down syndrome? Use your personal network.

2. If you're unable to set up visits or calls with folks in your personal network and you'd like to contact organizations nearby Evanston where LS will be held, reference this list of local organizations that we at DFA National have already asked to participate at LS for story sharing and concept testing and therefore we ask that you refrain from contacting them:

National Association for Down SyndromeMiscericordiaUps for Downs (United Parent Support for Down Syndrome)GiGi’s PlayhouseFrankie’s FundFamily Ideas Network for Down SyndromeDown Syndrome SupportCelebrate DifferencesKankakee Area Down Syndrome SocietyLivingston Area Down Syndrome SocietyCentral Illinois Down Syndrome OrganizationChampaign County Down Syndrome NetworkHeart of Illinois Down Syndrome AssociationLincoln Land Down Syndrome SocietyBUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome)Riverbend Down Syndrome AssociationAdult Down Syndrome Clinic is in Park Ridge

Many of these organizations are sharing the event invitation with their members and staff already.

3. If there is an organization not on this list you'd like to contact, email brandon@designforamerica.com before doing so. We'll do this to prevent the potential of multiple of our LS teams requesting the same thing from a generous and overextended organization.

4. Keep up the good work!

We're so excited to see your excitement for connecting with these individuals. Can't wait to see all the amazing research you're bringing to the start of Leadership Studio! :D

Sami Nerenberg - Hey Everyone! Just as a quick reminder, we look forward to your teams connecting with stakeholders from your community! DFA National has been hard at work establishing connections with those touched by Down syndrome in the Chicagoland area, so no need to contact them as they are likely already involved and it might be confusing to hear from students as well.

Thank you so much to the 14 participants who joined our virtual call last night to go over some important information about the weekend! A few important notes are below. As always, continue posting questions to the forum and we will see you in two short weeks!

PROJECT PREP: The most important component of prep work is to secure a virtual interview to be conducted by your team on Friday, August 7th from 1-2pm CT. This will be during the "Immerse" step of the process and be critical for you to gain a deeper understanding of the project.

PROJECT TOPIC SENSITIVITY: A few important things to keep in mind as we work with this sensitive topic is to avoid labeling. We've learned that many people don't identify as having Down Syndrome. It's also important to focus on strengths of the user rather than challenges. When wanting to learn more about possible challenges, it's important to talk about a challenge you yourself has faced and then ask if that have faced similar struggles. We will talk more about this at LS but start looking into and be mindful as you reach out to users.

AGENDA: The latest agenda is under "Files" Get excited for the opening keynote, the fiesta, skill workshops, project + studio work, etc, etc! Note the career fair on Saturday where you'll be able to network and meet great companies and initiatives. We will post more details about the location as we get closer to the event!

MATERIALS: Please bring your computers for reflections, critiques and studio planning. For those staying in the hotel, it's about a 25 minute walk so comfortable shoes and an umbrella might be necessary.

Just a reminder that the Pre-LS call will be happening TOMORROW, JULY 23rd at 9pm ET / 8pm CT / 6pm PT. One representative from each team is expected to attend. Please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/1e2wc0t

CALL LOGISTICS: We're going to be hosting an Adobe Connect video conference. Click this link to connect video: http://northwesternuniversity.adobeconnect.com/ls15/Enter room with your name: Your Name_LS Team_Studio Name (ex. Rob C_3_Virginia Tech)Call this number for audio: 847-752-0570Please enable video cam. We suggest logging a few minutes early if you can to get the tech set-up.

Hey LS participants! Sorry for the double email! My name is Stacy, and I'm from DFA National working to support you as you prep for the best four days of the summer. A few IMPORTANT REMINDERS as the event is quickly approaching:

GROUP CALL THURSDAY 7/23/2015 | 9pm ET / 8pm CT / 6pm PT. At least one person from each LS team should be there to share updates and ask any logistical questions about the upcoming eventRSVP Here: http://bit.ly/1e2wc0t

OTHER REMINDERS:

- All teams should be reaching out to perspective users and stakeholders to schedule an interview during LS. Each team should have 1-3 interviews scheduled! Logistical details can be found in the challenge packet.

- Share your research and process on the LOFT by next Wednesday, July 22nd. Each team is expected to post a "stand" or quick update on progress thus far. Read more about this update on DFA's Leadership Guide: https://loft.io/guide/dfa/dfa-leadership/stands/

Hey Everyone!As a quick reminder- be sure to book you hotel reservation at Best Western by tomorrow (July 6) to ensure you get our discounted rate!

Those on scholarship do not need to take further action. Those who listed they do not need a roommate are not on our roommate sheet and you are responsible for securing your own roommate or covering the cost of the room in full.

Everyone else can find your roommate and hotel details here. Be sure to mention Design for America for the discount!

The Design for America Leadership Studio is an immersive experience where over 90 top students from 29 different schools come to Northwestern for 4 days to use human-centered design in a hands-on project, develop creative leadership skills, and prepare for an the year as DFA leaders on their home campuses. Designers and professionals from around Chicago come to support students working on the challenge of improving care for families with children with Down syndrome.

How can we facilitate opportunities for self-expression in community areas where people interact?
How can we support people with DS to create & maintain the best relationships with their employers?
How can we encourage positive interaction between children with DS and children without in neighborhoods and schools?